Diksha Sundriyal
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, ‘Only the Brave’ follows the story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite group of firefighters led by Josh Brolin’s Eric Marsh. The film follows Marsh’s team as they pursue their Hotshot certification and successfully stop deadly fires in their tracks, preventing them from causing damage and destruction. One of the characters is 21-year-old Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller), who finds a new purpose when he becomes a part of Marsh’s team. The story’s focus eventually turns towards the disastrous fire of June 30, 2013, which ultimately claimed the lives of the team’s 19 firemen, with McDonough being the lone survivor.
Brendan McDonough Suffered from Survivor’s Guilt After the Yarnell Hill Fire
Born and raised in Prescott, Arizona, Brendan McDonough was 21 when he decided to change his life. He had been suffering from substance abuse and had a felony for theft in his record. It was the birth of his daughter, Michaela, that inspired him to turn over a new leaf, which led him to pursue a career in firefighting. He became a part of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, and Eric Marsh not only became his leader and mentor but also served as a big brother figure, helping him navigate different aspects of his life. On June 30, 2013, his team was dispatched to control the Yarnell Hill Fire, while McDonough was stationed as a lookout, which ultimately contributed to his survival of the fire. The other nineteen members of his team were trapped when the wind suddenly shifted, changing and intensifying the course of the fire, eventually leading to their deaths.
When McDonough discovered that his team members, who were like brothers to him, were gone, he was gripped by survivor’s guilt. In the aftermath of the tragedy, he kept asking himself why he wasn’t there with his team and why he was the only one who survived. “I’m kind of numb at that point. I’d cried a lot. And I came to a point where I just didn’t have any more tears,” he later said in an interview with ABC. For the next few years, he struggled with survivor’s guilt and PTSD. When an investigation was launched into the incident after several grieving families went to court, McDonough did not appear for testimony. Reportedly, his therapist at the time had concerns that it could jeopardise his treatment and the progress he had made so far.
The question of the deposition arose from an alleged instance in which it was claimed that McDonough had overheard a radio transmission between Eric Marsh and Jesse Steed, who were allegedly arguing. It is claimed that according to the transmission, Marsh and Steed argued over the former asking the latter to leave the safe zone, with Steed showing his disapproval about the order. This conversation is alleged to have happened shortly before the entire team perished in the fire. It was claimed that McDonough informed Prescott’s former wildland fire chief, Darrell Willis, who then reportedly shared the information with City Attorney Jon Paladini. However, both McDonough and Willis have claimed that Paladini’s account of the radio transmission is not accurate.
Brendan McDonough is Dedicated to Helping People With Addiction and Mental Health Issues
Brendan McDonough lives in Prescott, Arizona, with his wife, Alison. The couple has three children: Michaela, Zoe, and Declan. After taking a break from firefighting, he eventually returned to the profession and graduated from the Prescott Fire Department Academy in December 2024. He is also the CEO of Holdfast Recovery, which is a mental health and addiction treatment facility. He is also involved with Anchor Behavioral Health, a provider of addiction treatment and mental health care. He is now recognized for his motivational speeches, having delivered talks at events such as the Arizona Summit for Public Safety and Behavioral Health. However, he wasn’t always in such a good place.
After the fire killed his teammates, he was gripped with PTSD and depression, struggled with suicidal thoughts, and turned to alcohol to numb the pain. He said that he “felt lucky to be alive, but was dying inside,” revealing that he had become detached from his loved ones. About a year after the fire, McDonough crossed paths with a counsellor at a commemorative event for firefighters, with whom he shared the true extent of his struggles. That person referred him to another counsellor with whom he finally started to work on his mental health.
At the same time, he also found a new community in a Christian recovery group, and finding God and faith helped him turn his life around once again. Now, he is several years sober and is working to help other people receive the help they need with mental health and substance abuse. He said, “This gift of survival is a beautiful thing, but that’s not enough. You must have a team around you. But that’s only good if you use them.” Through his work, he aims to help people navigate the difficult times in their lives and emerge stronger, just as he did.
Brendan McDonough is Keeping the Memory of His Fallen Brothers Alive
Brendan McDonough collaborates with non-profit organisations such as the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, the Granite Mountain Hotshot Memorial, and the Eric Marsh Foundation for Wildland Firefighters. He also helps raise funds for other NGOs, particularly the ones focused on supporting the families of the firefighters who die in the line of duty. In 2024, he collaborated with Battle Tested Equipment to create a Granite Mountain Hotshot Commemorative Rifle in honor of his nineteen fallen brothers. The proceeds from the first nineteen rifles were completely donated to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, and half of the proceeds from the sale of rifles 21-9999 were donated to several non-profit organisations focused on firefighting, in addition to WFF.
McDonough is also an ardent supporter of legislation such as the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act of 2023 and advocates for safer practices in firefighting. His work has earned him several awards, like the Medal of Valor from the Prescott Fire Department and the Firefighter Hero Award from the American Red Cross. In 2016, he co-authored a book called ‘My Lost Brothers’ with Stephan Talty, in which he gave a detailed account of his life before he joined the Hotshots and his journey after the events of the Yarnell Hill Fire. He has also shared his story on various podcasts and panels, including his recent appearances on the Fire House Vigilance podcast and his speech at the Littleton Elementary School District.
McDonough is dedicated to keeping the memory of his Hotshot brothers alive and regularly visits the memorial site. In December 2024, he worked with Ultimate Toy Trader to replace the tattered flag at the site. He spends every June 30th with his family, trying to do something special in remembrance of his team. He loves spending time with his wife, who has been his rock through all the tough times, particularly in his years of grief. He attends concerts with his daughters, and goes to football games and quad biking in the dunes with his son. He is deeply grateful for his family and extends this gratitude to the people of Prescott who have always been there to support him and help him in every possible way.
